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Small town success stories can serve as models for others.

Article Excerpt
Small towns across the U.S. are dying. But it doesn't have to be. While there are trends toward population shifts to urban areas, some small towns have found creative ways to turn the tide and stay alive in the 21st century.

Some of people behind major small town success stories across the country gathered in Mississippi this week to network and share strategies for small town success. Representatives from the successful small towns were attending a workshop, Extraordinary Results in Ordinary Places, at the Advanced Education Center in Tupelo sponsored by the McLean Center for Community Development at the University of Mississippi (tie Miss).

"We brought in key leaders from five successful small towns, and asked them to share their stories for one day in the form of conversations with fellow citizens," said Dr. Vaughn Grisham, professor of sociology and director of the McLean Center. "In every case, the key has been that these places, with no unusual resources, have achieved extraordinary results by utilizing local resources, and finding ways to work together on projects that have reshaped their communities."

Grisham's work involves helping rural communities survive and thrive. He has worked on projects in 32 different states and two Canadian provinces, and does more work outside...

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